And even then it will not be fully operational and may not surpass the Nimitz class carriers its supposed to replace...[DailyCaller] The aircraft carrier stands at only 80 percent complete, according to the Government Accountability Office (GAO). Costs risen 20 percent since 2006 and the launch has been delayed. It was supposed to be cleared for a September 2015 date, but now has been pushed back to March 2016. Not only will the Navy carrier be incomplete at launch date, but completing construction will cost nearly a billion dollars. Some of the most important features of the carrier intended to separate it from older models will remain dormant, for instance the improved satellite communication will have to wait. Defects will be present, too, until almost a billion dollars more is spent to correct the errors.
"After an investment of at least $12.9 billion, CVN 78 may not achieve improved operational performance over the Nimitz class of aircraft carriers as promised for some time to come," GAO confirmed.
In terms of practical deployment, the carrier’s limited expansion ability is also a matter of criticism. The GAO pointed out that additional berths cannot be installed if more personnel come on board, a possibility that is looking increasingly likely. Severe operational tradeoffs will have to be made, in that case.
Design flaw?